Compare Reviews for Invention and Patent Services Companies

Patenting an invention helps turn an idea into reality. A U.S. patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the inventor issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. There are many different types of patents that protect different types of inventions, but they all must satisfy the following requirements:

InventionHome offers extensive assistance to their customers, working with them to develop their ideas into feasible products. They help with every step of the process, from design to marketing to retailers.

For Sale by Inventor works with inventors and companies to help patent, design and sell inventions. Partnered with Walmart, Sears and Amazon.com, they offer quick and inexpensive methods to help any invention come to life.

World Patent Marketing has a five star rating from multiple organizations, including Google, Consumer Affairs and Trustpilot. They offer research patenting, marketing, prototyping and manufacturing services.

Davison has years of experience marketing original inventions to popular retailers, such as K-Mart, PetSmart, Sears and more. They offer a free information guide online and have numerous trade shows throughout the year.

The Mars Rising Network has helped first time inventors and experienced inventors protect, develop and market their ideas since 2007. They offer patent services, licensing services 3D animation production/promotion and much more.

Innovative Licensing has been in business for over 20 years, helping inventors design and patent their ideas. They offer assistance with obtaining patents and selling inventions, as well as all other aspects of the process.

Thoughts to Paper offers patent and trademark services to small and large business owners. They offer fixed rates on their professional filing services, so consumers have no surprises when it comes to pricing.

Docie Invention & Patent Marketing has been in business since 1976, offering patenting and other invention services to entrepreneurs for over 30 years. They offer free resources and a free evaluation via their website online.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team believes everyone deserves to make smart decisions. We aim to provide readers with the most up-to-date information available about today's consumer products and services.

What features matter most?

Technical experience

All attorneys who work with patent service companies must have some kind of technical experience to pass the bar exam, but some have more specialized experience than others.

Field of experience: Look for patent services that work with attorneys who have experience in the exact field of your invention.

Former clients: Find out whether the service has worked with clients in your field.

Size of company

Companies of all sizes can file successful patents. But depending on the type of your invention, you might prefer to work with a large patent services company vs. a small company or vice-versa.

Nature of invention: Big companies will likely spend less time writing a patent, but will have more people review it while small companies will offer more personal attention.

Guidance: Smaller companies are likely to offer more guidance. If you already understand the patent process for inventions, you might be better off with a large company that offers more resources.

Cost

Patent costs vary from company to company but it’s a good idea to try to get an accurate estimate of the costs up front.

Billing: Does the service bill by the hour or have a standard fee for filing?

Price cap: Does the service set a price cap? A cap will help ensure you don’t get any big surprises when the bill comes.

Low prices: Most patent services charge rates that are within a 20% range of each other. Extremely low rates can be a sign of problems with a service.

Workload

High workload usually indicates that a service is doing a good job.

Current clients: Find out how many clients the firm is working with currently. Most qualified services should be working with one or two clients every few weeks.

Time frame: Services should not have such a high workload that your patent application won’t be handled promptly. Ask for a time frame regarding when you can expect your patent to be filed.

Success rates

One of the best ways to evaluate a patent service is to investigate the company’s success rate. It’s not always easy to find this information, but it is a valuable measure of a company’s worth.

Reviews and ratings: Check for online reviews and ratings for different services.

Inquire: Ask your contact at the company if you can view some previously written patents. Also, try to gauge how effective the company is at communication. Sometimes, filing a successful patent boils to how well the service works with the patent examiners.

Referrals

How did you hear about the patent service?

Ask: Putting the word out that you’re looking for a patent service will often result in a recommendation. It’s great to work with a service that a colleague recommended highly.

What are the different types of patent services?

Utility patent

Utility patents are granted to a person or persons who invent or discover a new and useful process, machine, articles of manufacture or compositions of matter. They can also be granted to people who invent an improvement of an existing invention. For example, the invention of a new chemical formula or type of housewares qualifies as an improvement of an existing invention. Utility patents last for 20 years from the date the patent is filed.

Design patent

Design patents are granted to anyone who invents a new, original or ornamental design for a manufactured article. The design must be ornamental or aesthetic, not functional. For example, a design patent might be obtained for an IKEA chair or a brand of shoe. These patents last for 14 years from the date the patent is filed.

Plant patent

Plant patents are granted for any asexually or sexually reproducible plants that are both novel and non-obvious. A plant patent might be granted for a mutant plant or hybrid created by cultivating different types of plants. These patents last for 20 years from the date the patent is filed.

People with an idea

Company reviews

World Patent Marketing Company is a patent assistance company founded in 2010. The company's headquarters are in Miami Beach, Florida, and it specializes in assisting people market their patented products.

Full range of services: World Patent Marketing offers customers a wide range of services, including research, prototyping, patenting and marketing.

Success stories: The company has a slew of stories of successful customers and products, and they share these stories and news about the products on their website.

Established in 1984, InventHelp assists inventors with submitting their inventions and product ideas to the industry. They help inventors package their idea, provide a patent referral and then submit that idea to companies who are looking for new product ideas. Their patent referrals have resulted in over 9,000 patents.

INPEX trade show: Every summer, InventHelp hosts INPEX (The Invention & New Product Exposition) in Pittsburgh, Penn. This trade show is the largest invention trade show in the country, and it provides inventors with a venue to exhibit their inventions and network with companies who are interested in licensing, manufacturing or marketing new products.

Request free information: InventHelp sends free information on their offerings to interested inventors. Simply submit your name and email address to have free information sent to you.

3D prototype modeling package: Inventors who have new product ideas can benefit from InventHelp’s 3D prototype modeling package. This gives you a three-dimensional model of your invention that you can use to print out a prototype. Your printed model will not be functional, but it will give you an accurate representation of what you can expect from your current invention design.

Find your local sales office: InventHelp has over 60 offices across the United States, Canada, Germany, Korea, the United Kingdom and Australia. Find your nearest location to set up an appointment to discuss your invention.

Patent information: InventHelp does not offer legal advice on patents and encourages their clients to seek legal advice for any patent-related questions. They do have a wealth of resources on patents for inventors to read so they can understand the basics of patents and what they need to do to patent their invention.

Best for People who have an idea for an invention and people who have invented a design.

Davison is a leading invention services company that has been in business for over 25 years. They are a large company with a team of over 250 employees. Great for inventors without a fully developed idea.

Pre-patent help: They work to develop an idea fully before seeking a patent.

Track record: They have a proven track record of getting products into stores.

Poor reviews: The company has received many complaints in online reviews.

For Sale by Inventor helps inventors, new and old, get on the fast-track to launching their products. They provide excellent guidance to both inventors wanting to market their inventions, and companies wanting to find the right invention to sponsor for sale. With a fully licensed legal team and an extensive combined background in marketing and sales, For Sale by Inventor delivers excellent service to both sides of the coin.

Education for new inventors: From start to finish, even those with no background in marketing, sales, or even legal principles can be guided to product launch in record time.

Legal complications ironed out: With a fully licensed legal time holding an impressive combined background, they will help new inventors dodge the rough legal expectations that can come alongside new products.

Inventions accessible by businesses: Successful inventions will be placed on the website, which is easily accessed by companies and other entities for investment and sponsorship.

Companies guided to the right products: New companies simply have to enter in the budget and details of products they want to expand with, and For Sale by Inventor will do the leg work of finding the right products for them.

Premium marketing packages: The offered marketing packages are well worth the money spent, thanks to the combined knowledge of their marketing and sales team.

Mars Rising Network offers inventors everything they need to turn their idea into reality, including patent services, assistance with invention design, licensing services, market promotion, prototyping and manufacturing. They also offer specialty services, including 3D animation video production, 3D design and prototyping and web/SEO services to help inventors and investors get a feel for how their product will look and function. Invention submission is easy, free and confidential.

Best for New and experienced inventors who are ready to get their idea patented, designed and marketed.

InventionHome is an invention and product marketing company that helps inventors and entrepreneurs through the invention and patent process. Great for inventors who want to avoid a “buy before you try” service or people who are looking to have marketing assistance with their invention.

Best for People who have invented something, people who have invented a design and people who have reproduced plants.

IDEA Design Studio is an invention firm that helps inventors with designs, development, production and marketing so they can turn their idea into a marketable product. They have been helping inventors turn their ideas into reality for over 10 years.

No royalties: IDEA Design Studio never takes any royalties for the designs they create. All of their created designs become the sole property of the inventor.

3D presentations: IDEA Design Studio’s designers can turn your idea into a tangible 3D model, even if your idea is still only in your mind. You stay involved throughout the process of the 3D design, and you can ask for revisions before you approve it. Designers will never move forward with a project without your approval.

Branding and logo design: IDEA Design Studio can help you design a logo for your new brand if you choose to go into business for yourself with your invention.

Create a branding platform: IDEA Design Studio will help you launch your brand by building an online e-commerce website and providing you with contacts for your prototype. Their strategic partners can help you launch your new product and build a customer base.

Thoughts to Paper is an established service that works with individuals and small businesses to file for patents. Great for first time inventors who are interested in trying things out with a flat fee.

Best for People who have invented something, people who have invented a design and people who have reproduced plants.

Docie is one of the oldest and most experienced patent service provider and have been in business for over 35 years. The founder is the author of The Inventor’s Bible. Great for first time inventors who are cautious about spending money on patent services. Inventors looking for a company with a history of success.

Free evaluation: You can have your invention or idea evaluated for free to see if it’s worth pursuing.

Experience: They have a solid history and a great success rate.

Not a patent law firm: They can offer advice on patents but you have to have your own patent attorney.

Best for People who have invented something, people who have invented a design and people who have reproduced plants.

Idea4Invention.com is a patent service company that specializes in education and creation. It offers itself as a “one-stop site” to help inventors have their ideas realized. Idea4Invention.com is great for people who need assistance with the entire process of patenting their inventions.

Patent lawyers: They work with patent lawyers and can help you file for a patent.

Prototypes: They can help you develop a prototype of your design and begin marketing it.

Outsource: They outsource invention help through Davison, a company that receives many complaints every year.

Best for People with an idea.

Inventmyidea.com works with inventors to file for patents. They also help with licensing an invention.

Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.

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Best Rated Invention and Patent Services

Idea4Invention offers help to inventors, from the beginning of the process to the very end. Their services include invention assistance, prototype assistance, marketing assistance and patenting assistance.

InventMyIdea helps inventors protect their product ideas. They assist with all stages of the invention process, from prototypes to marketing, licensing negotiations, manufacturing and patent assistance.

InventionIdeas offers a wealth of information for inventors. Their website has lots of resources available, including patent research, patent application assistance, business plans and invention company information.

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